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Fishing ban sought on river
Two-month lull on American would help steelhead, group says.
By M.S. Enkoji - menkoji@sacbee.com
Last Updated 12:11 am PST Friday, January 25, 2008
Story appeared in MAIN NEWS section, Page A1
Continued from previous page
Torres, who lives near Weaverville in Trinity County, said he is retired from the U.S. Forest Service, where he worked with fishing biologists.
Consider a catch-and-release-only restriction instead, urged Paul Young, 63, of Folsom, who also was calling it quits – until later in the afternoon.
Young, who throws back what he catches, said requiring the same thing of all fishers would discourage snaggers, who typically keep fish.
"That to me would make more sense," he said after wading ashore. "Otherwise, you're just going to annoy a lot of people."
The ratio of hatchery-raised to wild steelhead is about 2-to-1 in the river, said Terry Jackson, a biologist with Fish and Game. Only hatchery fish – recognizable by a clipped fin – can be kept; wild fish must be released.
The steelhead season generally runs through the summer at most locations on the lower river, but the run slows after March, Jackson said.
Steelhead also are fished in the Yuba and Feather rivers, which have higher flows and are not part of the requested closure.
Another department biologist, Mike Healey, said the American River was once closed in the 1980s because of dwindling fish.
He believes that 90 percent of steelhead snaggings are accidental, unlike larger salmon. He knows his evaluation counters the conventional wisdom of some in the angling community.
"I know groups out there will say I don't get out enough," he said.
Walking the banks of the American this week, he surveyed anglers, who gave a thumbs down on a ban. Besides steelhead, anglers are fishing for striped bass and a few of the remaining salmon, he said.
But Wayne Chubb, a member of the fly-fishing group, said a ban on all fishing is the only effective way to control illegal practices targeting one species of fish.
A fisherman since he was 4, Chubb lives near Sailor Bar, which he calls one of the worst snagging locations on the American River. With 40 years of fishing experience, he senses the steelhead fishery isn't at peak condition on the river.
"I'm not a biologist," Chubb said "I'm just a guy who fishes and spends a lot of time out there. With the lower flows, there's a real danger of doing irreparable harm."
About the writer:
- Call The Bee's M.S. Enkoji, (916) 321-1106.
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